Customize Resumes and Cover Letters

Cover letters are your first contact with employers, so getting the length and content right is important.  Most companies agree that you should include some links to your work, and definitely follow any instructions that they put in the job advertisement! Andrew Grinbaum an accomplished business owner, professor at LIU Brooklyn and published author says from his book Cha-Ching! in regards to cover letters and resumes

 " A better solution is to customize your cover letter and - this is key- use buzzwords and phrases written on the job description in your letter. A secret to communicating effectively is to speak the same language to the person you are writing- use the same words and jargon. Use the opening paragraph to introduce yourself and where you found out about the job." (pg 69)

A great tip indeed. Keep in mind that a resume is always about what you can do for the company, not what the company can do for you.  So when you create the resume, your first step is to write examples of what you’ve done for previous companies based on what you know the prospective employer wants from the person who wins the job. A great way to get an employer to ask more about what you’ve written in your resume is to deliver a consistent message that tells the story of how you plan to transform the position based on your previous experience.  If you deliver this message in your resume, the employer will certainly want to learn more in an interview.

The more you present yourself as an active leader with innovate ideas, the more you’ll pique the interest of an employer.  So as you write your resume, make sure the information you provide is so impressive that the interviewer can’t wait to learn more.